Car Confessional: MK1 Renault Laguna

We all have guilty secrets. A few skeletons in the cupboard. Some embarrassing facts that are best left in the head. Nothing too sinister of course, just the kind of information that can taint an otherwise blemish-free record.

But guilty secrets within petrolhead circles, surely not? Well if PetrolBlog is anything to go by, the automotive world is rife with naughty pleasures that are best left in the closest. But just occasionally they need to be let out into the open. Step forward the Car Confessional. A problem shared is a problem greeted with universal mocking and hilarity.

The latest car to register on my radar is the original Renault Laguna. It’s fair to say that aside from the mid ’90s BTCC Laguna and the third generation coupé, I’ve never really paid much attention to it. It’s always been there, but rather like magnolia painted walls, it has always kind of blended into the background.

But a couple of weeks ago, something changed. I heard the distant rumbling of a V6 motor at speed. As my brain trawled through the possible exotics that might be about to pass me, the noise grew louder and more appealing. Then, in a green blur, there it was. A first generation Renault Laguna. A LAGUNA! I’d almost forgotten it came fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 engine in the first place.

But then big French cars with suitably big French motors have not necessarily been particularly exciting. French ministres délégués always preferred their chariots with slushy automatic ’boxes, mushy suspension and plushy leather seats. Remember the Laguna Baccara, Renault’s rival to the Ford Scorpio? Or a little further back, the Renault 25 Monaco? But like just about any other big French car from the 1980s and ’90s, the MK1 Laguna and in particular the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre RTi models are just beginning to become appealing. Or maybe it’s just me?

Here’s my case for the defence. Originally, the V6 Laguna was offered solely with an automatic ’box. This therefore meant that the keen driver would opt for the 2.0-litre 16v Laguna which was surprisingly rather good. The 140bhp engine, although miserly by today’s standards, would propel the Laguna along at a pretty decent rate. A 0-60 time of a smidgen under ten seconds was nothing to get excited about, but of all the cars in its sector, the Laguna offered the best compromise. The ride quality was superb, the level of refinement could match its German rivals and when fully exploited, the Laguna could be a huge amount of fun.

It was ultimately let down by three things. Firstly, the original Laguna sold in huge numbers, particularly to fleet buyers, so there were quite a few about. Most of which were driven by sales reps. Secondly, it looked totally and utterly anonymous. Even the alloy wheels were an option. Thirdly, it wasn’t particularly cheap to run. Exploit the Laguna on your favourite B-road and you’d soon see the fuel economy drop to the low 20s. Ouch.

Never mind, there’s always in the 3.0-litre model to consider. By the late ’90s it had gained a manual gearbox, so at last it could offer something to those who find driving enjoyable, rather than a chore. In 1998 it would cost just over £18,500, that’s a mere £1,600 more than the 2.0-litre. Admittedly, Renault would still want extra for the alloy wheels, but at least you’d gain an extra 60bhp. And of course, you’d get the soundtrack of the V6 engine as you hurtled towards your next sales meeting. In fact, as the 3.0-litre didn’t need working so hard to get the best from it, fuel economy could be on a par with the 2.0-litre.

Neither cars were particularly good sellers. At its peak, there were fewer than 6,000 2.0-litre RTis on the roads of Britain. Today there are just a few hundred left and even fewer V6s. This would quite easily be a candidate for Bangerwatch as it won’t be long before the numbers are down to double figures. A quick search through the classifieds shows that you can pick up a very tidy and original 2.0-litre for less than £500. I found a one-owner car with full service history for £495. Spend a couple of hundred more and you can have the 3.0-litre. That’s if you can find one.

Today, the ‘hot’ Laguna has been largely forgotten, remembered solely for its front splitter, which can now be seen fitted retrospectively to Cavaliers, Clios, Corsas and Civics up an down the country. It’s no coincidence that there are more splitters listed on eBay than there are Laguna RTis. Nobody loves them and British buyers have always been a bit wary ageing French motors. But prices are so low, they must be worth a gamble? However, before buying one, you should compare car insurance groups as the 3.0-litre is in group 30! The 2.0-litre is five groups lower.

With my senses awakened by a chance encounter with a Laguna V6 in Northamptonshire, I’ve now added a couple to my eBay watch list. A confession too far? A lone voice in a sea of sensibility? You tell me.

Remember, if you want to share your own car confession, get in touch with us. A problem shared is a problem laughed at by the readers of PetrolBlog.

I always found the Mk1 Laguna a rather decent car. Good chassis and refinement, shame about the mediocre 8 valve engines. I liked the dashboard, it was a lot more elaborated and classier than the Cavalier/Mondeo/Xantia/Carina/Primera offerings.
And although the styling is nothing to write home about, it´s more elegant than today´s terrible Lagunas.

Have to agree on the Laguna, and it’s all the BTCC’s fault. Well, mostly.

My dad owned several Renaults in the 1990s and early 00s, so I’ve always been a fan of the marque. The Laguna arrived – and entered the BTCC – around the time I was properly getting into cars. 1994 was a golden year for me – there were some brilliant cars about. It’s probably my favourite BTCC season ever. WRC was good too – the Impreza 555’s first year and McRae’s first RAC win. And though it was a tragic year for F1, it’s still the first season I remember vividly, culminating in Schumacher and Hill’s coming-together at Adelaide.

That’s a long-winded way of saying the Laguna arrived at the right time. I always wanted my dad to own one, preferably the 2.0 RTi which was closest in spirit to the BTCC car.

I actually disagree that it looks bland though. Compare it to its contemporaries and it’s actually quite pretty, and it’s a sign of how right the design was that it made such a great-looking BTCC car with only some big wheels and a bit of a drop…

Not sure I could honestly bring myself to buy one now though, unless I suddenly came into lots of money and didn’t mind buying a few daft things. If the numbers for RTis and V6s are that low, I dread to think how many of those are actually in good working order too…

There’s a Laguna Mk1 up the road from me, dark green with a yellow boot spoiler and a full bumper width, blue on yellow RENAULT sticker on the rear, it’s been adorned like this from new in 1998, maybe a dealers made up special ‘touring car edition’. Wonder if it has floormats to match?

That’s an interesting one. I distinctly remember when I was a kid – would have been 94 or 95 specifically – there was a guy in my town with a yellow Laguna in full BTCC colours – i.e. the yellow body with blue Renault script repeated down the side, with a blue back end. Different car obviously, but would love to know what eventually happened to it.

A favourite of mine was in the local Peugeot dealership too. Soon after the 406 came out and it’d been in touring cars a few years, my local Pug dealer had a 406, lowered on 17″ OZ Superturismo alloy wheels. To my young eyes it was a spitting image of the BTCC car, and as such, very cool. We drove out of the dealer in a 1.8 LX…

I have a confession, i worked for a Renault Dealership in the late 90’s and my company car was a Laguna 1.8,{the single point injection variety}which strangely enough was my choice,if i recall,due to the company car tax regulations then,the 2.0RTI was the desired choice,but far too expensive to run as a company car,by the way,the 2.0l was actually from the volvo S40/V40 of the day.

I had one for a little while about 6 years ago. Bog standard bottom of the range with genuine hub caps. Was comfy,reasonable drive and reliability. Then exhaust fell off and it wasn’t worth repairing! Agree they look better if in a line up of contemporary dross. Not much style but some.

Ooh good point Blognobs have not arrived (enjoyed chocolate digestive as we speak). Snow is minimal but temperature eve more so. Malcolm (the MINI apparently) even deployed glow today for only the second time! I must be getting old though as I like heated seats now rather than making me think I’ve wet myself.

When living in England I used to drive a Mini (the proper one) for many years. After meeting my wife for the first time it became clear that I had to lose my Mini as it needed lots of repairs anyway at that time. I needed a decent car and my mechanic already had a Saab 900 Turbo on the garage for me, unfortunately he couldn’t get it to start and run properly. After a few weeks he offered me a 1.8 RT Laguna instead. I wasn’t really keen in the first place as I found it a bit ugly but after having driven it from Birmingham back to Leeds it started growing on me.

Sure, it wasn’t the best performing car (given the same power output as my Mini had with its MG Metro engine), but the ride was the most comfortable I ever had in any car. And I was driving a lot of cars while at Uni as I used to work as a props driver at the movies.
I loved the Laguna and the boot was huge! you could easily move in there with your lounge furniture should you split from your wife…

I can completely understand this confession…
I would drive a Laguna again should I ever have the opportunity again. Best cheap-to-comfort-ratio…

Although very little of them have been made, you could also consider the 1.9 dci (yes dci, not dti). It was only sold in 2000, thus meaning even the entry-level version were fully equiped (at least here in the Netherlands). To be honest, I drive one 😉
(RXI, 16″ alloys, automatic climate control, cruise control, electric windows, fog lights, painted bumpers, etc. the whole lot)

I had a remap done, after the remap it went to 128 hp on the dyno at the wheels and a nice 310 Nm of torque. With that amount of torque it is reasonable fast, especialle from 80-120 and 120-160 🙂

I bought a laguna3.0l V6 24v 10 years ago as it was cheap, very cheap for a car that does 7.7secs 0-60. I am still driving it today having only spent £44 on repairing it outwith general wear and tear stuff. It is beginning to show signs of its age now but the engine is still as quiet as the day I bought it and I am reluctant to part with the power of the 3L engine. I would highly recommend one to anyone to have some fun with!

I effectively inherited last year a Mk1 Phase 2 1.6RT. Not the outright best car by any means, and getting it running after 3-5 years off the road has been a guilty, expensive pleasure. But we love her and she performs amazingly well on UK roads. Fun enough to poke around B-roads, sensible enough to live with and 45MPG on motorways. Planning to keep maintain ours as a classic!

Have had 2 mk1 v6 lags and I love them!!!. Strong quick engines, 147mph and the best thing is it looks like a old Renault and it really piss”s off the BMW and Audi drivers who don’t know its harbouring a v6!!!

Have had a Laguna 3.0l V6 24v since 2004. Lovely to drive, garaged and only done 47,000 miles. However the electrics have been a constant pain for the last half dozen of these years with the instrument panel going dead intermittently and lately the alarm kicking in when driving. Am about to scrap a good runner (with 7 months MOT) as it’s got too annoying. It’s in Leeds – anyone interested?

gt reading abt the old r renault.. ive owned this rt folr 17 years few olff mods
to make the breathing improve hardened the suspemsion other than that oh forgot
a stainless steel sports system and it flys b it loud but gd fun have only done 96000 miles
spain italy france scotland belgium holland now the wife bit on the sick side
so use ir as my fun car only had done to engine
#was the cam sensor went in the middle of france some old lad fixed itat a village garage
tires ir does well on any of the named makes .. oh ikt an auto rt
understand there are only two registered
roll on the next 100000 miles aty agbed 81 who cares
gerry

My dad had two of these, a pre-facelift 1.8 and a facelift 1.6. I remember going to the dealership with him to pick up the first one in 1995 and being fascinated by the remote controls for the radio on the steering column. I remeber the interiors being surprisingly well built, but very stuffy as neither of them had aircon. Also, as soon as I hit about 12 years old, I could no longer fit in the back of them. If you’ve never sat in the back of one, you would not believe how little space there is back there for a (supposedly) D-segment car. The other standout memory for me is the bulletproof reliability (made all the more apparent by the complete lack of it in the A6 that followed). The first one never went wrong, and the second one only failed to proceed once when Dad got a bit over-enthusiastic and clouted the sump on a rock!